CHEF ROBERT PICKENS

Chef Robert is a foodie in all senses of the word having been in the culinary world for over 30 years at land and sea. He honed his skills in top kitchens, Mega-yachts, and Michelin restaurants across the globe, currently as the owner of Kornerstone Bistro & Tidewater Oyster Bar. Ready for his next adventure, Robert created Stax, an ice cream sandwich shop in Wilmington, NC. When he’s not overseeing restaurants & stacking Ice Cream Slider combinations, he can be found boating, at the gym or spending time with family!

LESLIE PICKENS

The heart of the dynamic duo behind STAX, Leslie Pickens continues to embrace her role with a passion that’s only grown over their 25-year journey together. Having left behind a storied career in mega-yachts where the couple met, she found her niche in high end service, team building, forging relationships, and repeatedly turning customers into dear friends. An active pillar in the community, Leslie envisions STAX as a haven for celebrations, milestones, or simply a spot for enjoying great ice cream with loved ones.

APRIL BARROW

At the core of NYE’s operation, April Barrow infuses every aspect of her work with boundless energy, passion, and top-tier customer service. From crafting cookies to churning ice cream, she leads her team in handmaking every sandwich that graces the counter. With a dedicated following and unwavering brand loyalty, April takes pride in extending NYE’s Cream Sandwiches to weddings and special events, ensuring every ice cream lover leaves fully satisfied.

TRACEY ALTMAN

Formerly at the helm of Wholly Guacamole, Tracey now proudly takes on the title of Chief Ice Cream Sandwich Tester at STAX. With a knack for weaving together innovation and marketing, she’s perfectly poised to champion this new and exciting venture as an owner and CMO. A Boston native, Tracey never fails to bring her…interesting…vocabulary with her. So if you see the word “jimmies” somewhere, that just means sprinkles. Ready for a new adventure herself, Tracey is wicked pumped to spread the word about STAX…just as long as they don’t run out of the chocolate peanut butter sandwiches….

Explore Our Sister Brands

Long before the trend took hold, Nye’s Cream Sandwiches perfected the art of the ice cream sandwich. By pairing artisan-style ice cream with our signature house-made chewy cookies, we’ve created a premium frozen treat designed to delight. It’s a timeless classic, handcrafted for the modern palate.

From corporate holiday gifting to hospitality activations and marquee sporting events, our mission stays the same: create handcrafted treats that deliver comfort, delight, and memorable moments.

Location

Find us here at Stax, or Buy Online!

Experience the best of the Carolina coast at Tidewater Oyster Bar. Sourced directly from local sparkling waters, our seafood is defined by its freshness and signature “earth-meets-ocean” seasoning. From succulent oysters to expertly prepared catches, we bring the tide’s purest flavors straight to your table.

Location

8211 Market St Unit DD, Wilmington, NC 28411

Hours

Sun – Thurs: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri – Sat: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

An upscale-casual destination where Mediterranean philosophy meets North Carolina’s bounty. Kornerstone Bistro specializes in fresh, healthy comfort food—from rustic Italian classics to vibrant dishes featuring olive oil and lemon. It’s a celebration of the freshest local ingredients, prepared simply and served with heart.

Location

8262 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28411

Hours

Sun – Thurs: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri – Sat: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Contact us today at 910-319-7222.